Hi there, I own a 2007 Tiida Q (what we call the Versa down here:smilewinkgrin
with only 56000KM on the clock with an MR18DE in it and 2 days ago it crapped itself big time.
Car has always run great since we purchased it new 5 years ago so this big break down was a massive surprise but not as big as the surprise I got later.
Drove to the suprmarket just fine, did my shopping but as I left and started the car it just didn't sound right and the MIL light came on. Also a lot of vibration, most notable in the exhaust pipe. Engine doesn't shake, but the exhaust does and it seriously lost power.
I had just purchased a trolley jack and gasket etc to give it an oil change after I noticed it had developed an oil leak that had started getting worse and was thinking oil pan seal has gone. But this malfunction happened the day after I brought the goods and before I could get do it this weekend. Also thought the valve seals were stuffed, as it has been occasionally blowing a cloud of smoke when started, generally after short trips.
Car now sounds like it is only running on 4 cylinders, and while no smoke, the exhaust smells very fuel rich, like it's not all being burnt. (although I can smell a burning smell inside the car which doesn't smell like fuel or oil.)
Thought I'd just check and if need be change the sparkplugs as I thought a dead spark plug must be the problem. Managed to track down a factory service manual thought weird location for plugs but this will be easy, not realising the plugs are buried deep inside the engine and seem to require a non standard plug socket and that working on these engines is a nightmare compared to any car I've worked on before.
Removed the air intake manifold, and noticed a great deal of oil in it, pipes attached and the air filter. So I though maybe the rings are buggered also.
Removed a coil pack and noticed how deep the plugs are set in, something I must of missed in the manual, not a problem I have extensions, but not a single spark plug socket I own will get in the hole. Manual says 14mm socket, youtube video I watched shows a very slim socket, parts shop says "no such thing as a 14mm spark plug socket"...... So so far unable to check the plugs.
Well a few friends confirmed they think it may be the rings also, so I thought, the engine design I'm not overly familiar with (never had to work on it before outside of general maintenance so had no idea what to expect) I'll get some quotes from a mechanic thinking new set of rings, that should cost much right? well it went from bad to worse, well worse is an understatement.
First Mechanic I rang, He just outright said he refused to go near it, not a job he wants. I thought I misheard him at first.
So I rang another mechanic asking for a quote on replacing rings. He laughed at me. Without saying anything he told me exactly what was wrong with it, Oil in the air intakes/filter, the blowing smoke when stated, oil pissing out of it onto the ground, even the way the car is running and sounds. Said he did one a few months back and it's a complicated engine with a horrible design, requiring too many hours of work for such a simple job as pretty much have to pull everything out and that I'd be looking at about $5000AUD to fix it. Thought he was exaggerating.
So I rang the Car dealer where we got it from's service department. Who outright refused to give me a quote, or a rough idea of how much I'd be looking at, went out of their way to avoid it, telling me I'd have to bring it in, they'd have to "completely" dissasemble it to find out what is wrong before they could quote. I'm not rich, so I needed a good idea of an actual price, not keen on having my car pulled apart then told a price I cannot afford and wonder what will happen to my now apart car when I find I cannot pay.
He eventually said "you will be looking into the thousands" as the engine is complicated and would take probably more than 20 hours labour just for the rings alone, before honing of cylinders etc.
So I'm buggered, no idea what to do as I cannot afford "thousands" especially around 5000, and I'm pretty pissed off too, for a car that is only 5 years old and with only 56000km on the clock such a repair cost is outlandish I feel, especially after paying about $27000 AUD for the thing.
So very long story short, I'm thinking a replacment engine would be shit loads cheaper than getting it fixed, but am having trouble finding a new engine online. (2nd hand ones no probs, but hey after this I don't want to risk a 2nd hand one) So would anyone have an idea of a place to buy a new engine, and the cost I'd be looking at???? I found some on an American site but those were for 2011 Tiida's but advertised at about the 1000USD mark.
Any suggestions of what I need, if the MR18DE's are still available where to get one, a suitable engine of a different model, as I'm thinking a new engine and installation cost is going to be healthier for my finances than getting this one fixed.
What path do people suggest I take?
Thanks in advance.
with only 56000KM on the clock with an MR18DE in it and 2 days ago it crapped itself big time.Car has always run great since we purchased it new 5 years ago so this big break down was a massive surprise but not as big as the surprise I got later.
Drove to the suprmarket just fine, did my shopping but as I left and started the car it just didn't sound right and the MIL light came on. Also a lot of vibration, most notable in the exhaust pipe. Engine doesn't shake, but the exhaust does and it seriously lost power.
I had just purchased a trolley jack and gasket etc to give it an oil change after I noticed it had developed an oil leak that had started getting worse and was thinking oil pan seal has gone. But this malfunction happened the day after I brought the goods and before I could get do it this weekend. Also thought the valve seals were stuffed, as it has been occasionally blowing a cloud of smoke when started, generally after short trips.
Car now sounds like it is only running on 4 cylinders, and while no smoke, the exhaust smells very fuel rich, like it's not all being burnt. (although I can smell a burning smell inside the car which doesn't smell like fuel or oil.)
Thought I'd just check and if need be change the sparkplugs as I thought a dead spark plug must be the problem. Managed to track down a factory service manual thought weird location for plugs but this will be easy, not realising the plugs are buried deep inside the engine and seem to require a non standard plug socket and that working on these engines is a nightmare compared to any car I've worked on before.
Removed the air intake manifold, and noticed a great deal of oil in it, pipes attached and the air filter. So I though maybe the rings are buggered also.
Removed a coil pack and noticed how deep the plugs are set in, something I must of missed in the manual, not a problem I have extensions, but not a single spark plug socket I own will get in the hole. Manual says 14mm socket, youtube video I watched shows a very slim socket, parts shop says "no such thing as a 14mm spark plug socket"...... So so far unable to check the plugs.
Well a few friends confirmed they think it may be the rings also, so I thought, the engine design I'm not overly familiar with (never had to work on it before outside of general maintenance so had no idea what to expect) I'll get some quotes from a mechanic thinking new set of rings, that should cost much right? well it went from bad to worse, well worse is an understatement.
First Mechanic I rang, He just outright said he refused to go near it, not a job he wants. I thought I misheard him at first.
So I rang another mechanic asking for a quote on replacing rings. He laughed at me. Without saying anything he told me exactly what was wrong with it, Oil in the air intakes/filter, the blowing smoke when stated, oil pissing out of it onto the ground, even the way the car is running and sounds. Said he did one a few months back and it's a complicated engine with a horrible design, requiring too many hours of work for such a simple job as pretty much have to pull everything out and that I'd be looking at about $5000AUD to fix it. Thought he was exaggerating.
So I rang the Car dealer where we got it from's service department. Who outright refused to give me a quote, or a rough idea of how much I'd be looking at, went out of their way to avoid it, telling me I'd have to bring it in, they'd have to "completely" dissasemble it to find out what is wrong before they could quote. I'm not rich, so I needed a good idea of an actual price, not keen on having my car pulled apart then told a price I cannot afford and wonder what will happen to my now apart car when I find I cannot pay.
He eventually said "you will be looking into the thousands" as the engine is complicated and would take probably more than 20 hours labour just for the rings alone, before honing of cylinders etc.
So I'm buggered, no idea what to do as I cannot afford "thousands" especially around 5000, and I'm pretty pissed off too, for a car that is only 5 years old and with only 56000km on the clock such a repair cost is outlandish I feel, especially after paying about $27000 AUD for the thing.
So very long story short, I'm thinking a replacment engine would be shit loads cheaper than getting it fixed, but am having trouble finding a new engine online. (2nd hand ones no probs, but hey after this I don't want to risk a 2nd hand one) So would anyone have an idea of a place to buy a new engine, and the cost I'd be looking at???? I found some on an American site but those were for 2011 Tiida's but advertised at about the 1000USD mark.
Any suggestions of what I need, if the MR18DE's are still available where to get one, a suitable engine of a different model, as I'm thinking a new engine and installation cost is going to be healthier for my finances than getting this one fixed.
What path do people suggest I take?
Thanks in advance.
